Tag Archives: solar

2009 Solar Decathelon

Posted on September 25, 2009 by Michael Janzen

In a few weeks the Solar Decathlon will open at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. This is a biennial competition hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy where universities design and construct their visions for the ultimate sustainable solar … Continue reading →

Posted in Sustainable Living | Tagged competition, Cornell, Department of Energy, DOE, jetson green, Silo House, Slar, solar, Solar Decathelon, sustainable architecture, University | 6 Comments

Vodafone Mobile Solar Home

Posted on July 1, 2009 by Michael Janzen

Built as a showcase for Vodafone’s fixed phone and wireless internet services this tiny house is a wonderful example of how to create a lot of functionality in a tiny living space. The walls are white polyethylene panels and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Projects | Tagged La casa movil, solar, Solar Home, sustainable architecture, technology showcase, tiny house, Vodafone | 18 Comments

The Field Lab – Extremely Sustainable Homestead

Posted on June 8, 2009 by Michael Janzen

The Field Lab, also known as the Southwest Texas Alternative Energy And Sustainable Living Field Laboratory, is the 40-acre desert homestead of John Wells. John had been living in upstate New York for years but had a bit of awakening, like … Continue reading →

Posted in Sustainable Living | Tagged homestead, humanure, jenkins, john wells, off the grid, rainwater, solar, southwest, sustainable, swamp cooler, texas, the field lab | 12 Comments

Two Sustainable Sheds

Posted on May 22, 2009 by Michael Janzen

Here’s a simple concept that builds on the tiny shed cluster concept. This time instead of four sheds it’s just two 8′ by 12′ sheds connected by a deck. The roofs are setup to collect water and fill one cistern … Continue reading →

Posted in Design Concept | Tagged 3d drawing, affordable, architecture, cluster, google sketchup, house, low-cost, shed cluster, solar, sustainable, tiny house, tromb wall, two sheds, Two Sustainable Sheds | 23 Comments

Papercrete Tiny Houses

Posted on January 20, 2009 by Michael Janzen

Julia (my wife) ran across this papercrete house website recently. Papercrete is a simple and inexpensive way of building walls from paper pulp and cement. Normally concrete blocks are a mix of sand, gravel, and quite a bit of cement … Continue reading →